American University announced Wednesday it has named a new general counsel.

School will soon be in session at American for Traevena Byrd, who most recently served as GC and VP of legal affairs and human resources at Towson University in Maryland. She will join Washington, D.C.-based American on April 9.

Byrd replaces Bethany Bridgham, who has served as American University's acting general counsel since July 2017 following the retirement of Mary Kennard. According to AU's website, there are three other lawyers aside from Bridgham and two nonattorneys in the GC's office.

Wednesday's announcement says Byrd will “provide, manage and coordinate all legal services for the university,” and will serve as a member of American University President Sylvia Burwell's cabinet and as an adviser to the university's executive team and board.

“I am delighted to join the AU community and I look forward to contributing to its mission of public service and global leadership,” Byrd said in the press release. “President Burwell's leadership inspires me, and I am honored to have the opportunity to be a part of the exciting and meaningful change that will positively shape AU for years to come.”

Legal recruiting consultancy Major Lindsey & Africa led the search for the university's GC role.

Before joining Towson in 2015, Byrd served in various roles at Ithaca College beginning in 2001, according to her LinkedIn profile, and was most recently associate general counsel there. 

“I am thrilled that Traevena is joining AU as our next general counsel,” Burwell said in the release. “With her deep experience advising universities, her impressive record of working with students, faculty and staff, and her nationally recognized expertise on many of the most important issues facing higher education today, Traevena will be an excellent leader of our legal department and an important member of the AU leadership team.”